Politics
Perry's Appointed Regents Are Big Donors
By Matt Stiles and Brian Thevenot, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, 24 August 2010
In an election season marked by fights over the connection between campaign contributions and political appointments, members of the state's boards of regents continue to dominate the landscape.
Breaking from GOP, Ron Paul supports Park51
By Patrick Caldwell, THE TEXAS INDEPENDENT, 23 August 2010
Republican Rep. Ron Paul released Friday a strongly-worded statement supporting Park51, the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” formerly known as Cordoba House.
Edwards appeals to vets for support at Waco campaign stop
By Regina Dennis, WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, 24 August 2010
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, appealed Monday for the support of a demographic he is well-acquainted with: Central Texas veterans.
Local lawmakers discuss NYC mosque
By Trish Choate, ABILENE REPORTER NEWS, 23 August 2010
Abilene Rep. Randy Neugebauer said locating a new mosque in New York City near the site of the deadly terrorist attacks is inappropriate and insensitive to people who lost family members on Sept. 11, 2001.
Government
Texas Republicans outdo Democrats in D.C. fundraising
By Richard S. Dunham, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 23 August 2010
A Houston Chronicle analysis of campaign contributions to the Texas congressional delegation found that Texas Republicans have received more money from Washington interests than their Democratic colleagues and challengers.
Money laundering case against DeLay moving forward
By Kelley Shannon, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 24 August 2010
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is moving to the next round in his fight against criminal indictments in Texas, where he faces money laundering and conspiracy charges.
Dallas council members walk out of meeting before tax rate vote
By Rudolph Bush and Steve Thompson, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 23 August 2010
In a sign of the rancor that could define the debate on Dallas' budget, six City Council members abruptly walked out of a council meeting Monday afternoon, bringing it to an unexpected end before the council could vote to set a maximum property tax rate for the coming fiscal year.
ERCOT reports record peak electricity demand
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 23 August 2010
Temperatures of up to 110 degrees caused the fourth peak electricity demand record in as many weeks on the state's biggest electrical grid.
More air monitors planned for Texas drilling area
By Angela K. Brown, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 24 August 2010
Eight new air monitors are planned for one of the nation's largest natural gas fields, where drilling has raised questions about emissions effects, state lawmakers said Monday.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to use new equipment to monitor air around Barnett Shale
By Mike Lee, FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 23 August 2010
State environmental regulators, under heavy prodding from the Legislature, announced Monday that they're installing new equipment to check for air pollution from gas drilling in the Barnett Shale.
Puppy mills dodge regulations in Texas
By Erin Mulvaney, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 23 August 2010
The Better Business Bureau said Monday that more than half of the complaints it received against Texas dog breeders in the last three years couldn't be resolved, probably because they were linked to shady breeders who operate with little or no regulation.
State proposes 6-month deadline to agree on use of 'The Alamo'
By Tom Benning, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 24 August 2010
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas probably will have six more months to hash out an agreement with state officials over the group's attempt to trademark the phrase "The Alamo."
Little Money Approved for State Parks Actually Spent
By Allen Reed, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, 24 August 2010
After newspaper reports of disrepair and neglect in parks statewide, voters in 2007 approved Proposition 4, which allows the state to issue $1 billion in general obligation bonds to state parks. But so far, just 46 bonds have been issued totaling $69 million — less than 7 percent of the total approved. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staffers are working on dozens of upgrades around the state. But a spokesman says the process to get the bonds approved and use the dollars is slow and cumbersome.
News
Formula One track could reap millions
By Eric Dexheimer, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 23 August 2010
The owners of a proposed Formula One racetrack southeast of Austin anticipate selling the naming rights to various parts of the facility for $7 million, according to recently released public records.
Leaders react to errant shot: 'There is nothing we can do about it'
By Zahira Torres and Daniel Borunda, EL PASO TIMES, 24 August 2010
A stray bullet that hit the University of Texas at El Paso during the weekend now marks the second time in nearly two months that gunfire from Mexico may have crossed into El Paso and struck buildings, officials said. On Monday, city leaders and law enforcement attempted to temper concerns by assessing what measures were practical in dealing with the latest development.
Texas Tech study: Clean energy would mean big boost for West Texas economy
By Alyssa Dizon, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 24 August 2010
An economic study released Monday indicated a clean energy economy would create an increase of more than 22,000 jobs and $280 million annually in local and state tax revenue in the next decade.
Cost of new Allen High stadium set at $59.6 million
By Sam Hodges, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 23 August 2010
The price tag for the new 18,000-seat stadium for Allen High School appears set at $59.6 million, which is just under what Allen Independent School District voters approved in a bond election in May 2009. Allen ISD trustees gave their OK Monday night to a maximum construction cost of $53.5 million. When furniture, architectural fees and other costs are added in, the cost increases by about $6 million.
People
Debra Medina: The TT Interview
By Ross Ramsey, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, 24 August 2010
The third-place finisher in this year's GOP gubernatorial primary on whether she'll vote for Rick Perry, how she feels about the mosque near Ground Zero and what her reaction to Glenn Beck should have been.